Through The Riviera Woman, I have been in touch with and met some amazing women. One in particular caught my attention, Kate from RivieraSwap. The word ‘swap’ is very much the key word here.

Kate was inspired by the idea of clothes swapping whilst she was living in America with her young family. This is a concept that is becoming very popular today. For UK TV viewers, the former 60’s model Twiggy, presents a show full of fun clothes swapping, fashion tips and with the intention of having that feel good factor present.

The Riviera Woman is about getting women talking, getting women meeting and getting women geared up… and now I mean it literally.

There are such a wide range of events to go to here on the Riviera that usually involves a fee of some kind, and it appears that a natural suspicion occurs when the word ‘free’ is emphasised. But the event is free, with no hidden costs or trap to make you feel vulnerable for the next time you see such an event advertised.

I approached Kate with the idea of joining forces to promote a Ladies Clothes Swap in the Monaco area.
‘Free venues tend to be difficult to find.’ Kate told me.
I was on a mission and set my sites for the ever so famous Stars’n’Bars overlooking the port of Monaco. I met with Annette who is manager to the owner Kate Powers and floated the idea I had. I could not have been more delighted with the response and support I received. An instant decision of ‘yes’ and a true belief of mutual support of having the event, would of course be beneficial to everyone. The deed was done. The first Ladies Clothes Swap of 2009 was to be held in the Fusion Restaurant at Stars’n’Bars in Monaco.

We received further local help from the Riviera’s media and to describe so cutely in Kate’s very own words "RivieraSwap was going on tour"! The date was set for Saturday 28th March from 2.30pm until around 5pm.

The day arrived and I made my way to Monaco, I was there a little early and sat alone looking forward to meeting some new people and to experience my first clothes swap. Shortly after 2 o’clock, RivieraSwap’s Kate arrives armed with bags and bags of clothes kindly donated by the women who could not come but still wanted to support the event. Being a former DJ, I mixed a selection of ‘girlie’ tunes to set the mood. Tunes included those from Kylie, Kool and the Gang, Cher, Whitney Houston and specific tracks such as, Lady by Modjo and Girls just wanna have fun by Cyndi Lauper, were a definite must…



And then one by one they came. Women armed with carrier bags and small suitcases and holdalls were greeted by yours truly and Kate. It is a simple system, the clothes are arranged into types and/or sizes. At this point, I counted some 40 women had come and they were keen to participate in this fun exercise.



After a short introduction, which I was proud to make and a ‘how it works’ from Kate, the swap began just after 3 pm. The empty bags very quickly found themselves back to being full of satisfying exchanges. I took a little look around myself, and was amazed to see a fox fur jacket and a beautiful cream silk wedding dress… I would have loved to know who proudly wore that… I guess I will never know. Once garments are in position the identity and ownership are disengaged. Several little designer numbers spent very little time being eyed-up. The were gone in a blink of an eye and going home to very happy ladies.

It was actually all remarkably civilised and I felt a sense of inner satisfaction that I could swap and offer my friendship with those who wanted mine. From my own perspective, I proved the point that the best things in life are indeed for free. There is no cost attached to being sociable and taking part in gentle networking… but the results are priceless… ££ €€ $$ !

For further details of future swaps, which includes ones for kiddies too and a promise of a forthcoming book swap, keep an eye on The Riviera Woman calendar, which will be updated by Kate of www.rivieraswap.com

When it was time to leave, I dismantled the two clothes racks I brought and struggled clumsily back to the car in the rain, with an overwhelming satisfying feeling of it doesn’t get better than this… knowing very well that it can, and will.

ANNA FILL - Editor